Former state Sen. Hugh Fowler suggested in a recent letter to the editor that VA funding be converted to “vouchers to buy services directly from providers — or commercial health insurance.”

And the June 15 Associated Press report on Senate proposals for changes in VA spending makes clear the speciousness of these arguments.

Simply dividing the $44 billion that the government reportedly spends on veterans’ medical care by the 21 million eligible veterans shows that only about $2,000 is budgeted per veteran per year. With the average annual health insurance premium already exceeding $5,600 for individuals in 2012 (ncsl.org), $2,000 vouchers clearly would be insufficient to take care of our country’s veterans.

Paul West, Fort Collins

This letter was published in the June 17 edition.

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Eric Shinseki, who stepped down Friday as secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs, addresses the National Coalition for Homeless Veterans earlier in the day. (Win McNamee, Getty Images)

Gen. Eric Shinseki has taken the fall for the disaster we call Veterans Affairs health care, but that is probably not fair. Retired generals are appointed to these sorts of positions only because of their stars; there’s no reason to think they are good administrators.

There may be at least two important things to be learned from this dirty little secret.

First, we should open these sorts of critical jobs to those who are best qualified, not award them as political payoffs, nor give the positions to those with the most glitter.

Second, we seriously need to consider the possible impacts of single-payer health care. The VA is the best/worst example we have of socialized medicine in this country. How’s that workin’ for us?

In a not-too-subtle dig at the Affordable Care Act, Jim Geddes conveniently overlooks two facts.

First, the ACA does not make the “federal government responsible for the care of us all.” Insurance is provided by private insurance companies, not the government.

Second, the voucher system he dreams about to replace the Department of Veterans Affairs health care system is only possible if insurance companies are forced to accept patients with pre-existing conditions. Without the mandates of the ACA, every single veteran would be rejected by all insurance companies for a pre-existing condition.

Terry Gordon, Denver

This letter was published in the May 31 edition.

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Joe Giardiello’s guest commentary was a touching example of the best of us. I think most of us spend Memorial Day thinking of those who, as someone put it, “gave up their tomorrows so we could have yesterdays.”

Carl M. Wright, Boulder

This letter was published in the May 31 edition.

What a beautiful and profound Memorial Day message by Joe Giardiello. It pulled at the heart strings. It touched the soul. To those who refuse to salute our flag — remember, it’s that flag that gave us the freedom to choose freedom. Remember, lest we forget.

Bernice Coggan, Denver

This letter was published in the May 31 edition.

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Thank you for your piece on post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). We need to do more to understand this issue and help those many brave men and women who deal with it every day due to their military service.

Sadly, it seems that the government now wants to do less to help our veterans, rather than more. They recently tried to cut veterans’ retirement benefits, although this was thankfully reversed due to public outcry. Now the Pentagon has proposed a massive rollback of health care benefits.

The excuse given is that we must cut spending. Then why are we spending $1.5 trillion on a new fighter jet known as the F-35 that our own test pilots think will get shot down as soon as it faces a dogfight?

I’m in favor of fiscal responsibility, but there are better ways to save than by cutting health care for veterans.

Albert Gonzales, Colorado Springs

This letter was published in the March 31 edition.

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Gina Elise, founder of the non-profit organization, Pin-Ups For Vets, poses for a photo with former sailor James Kirkpatrick, 67, during her visit to the Denver VA Medical Center on Dec. 14, 2011. (Joe Amon, The Denver Post)

I am very pleased that Rep. Mike Coffman wants to help transitioning veterans find jobs so they can better support their families. Does he not believe that these veterans also need and want health insurance for their families? I hope he considers this before he again voices his opposition to the Affordable Care Act.

Ed Duncan, Aurora

This letter was published in the Jan. 22 edition.

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In Monday’s paper, I read the short letter from Eugene Hogan about honoring our veterans. It seems we could honor our veterans by making sure that no veteran is homeless. Many of these veterans have been crippled in mind as well as body. They all deserve at least a decent place to live out their years.

Cleon Griffiths, Lakewood

This letter was published in the Nov. 12 edition. For information on how to send a letter to the editor, click here.

Everyone serving in the military today joined voluntarily. We as a nation have shown them the respect and honor they deserve. That is as it should be. It makes it all the more amazing that the majority of those who involuntarily served during Vietnam were shown disdain and treated as though the futility and horrors of that war were their fault, rather than that of their leaders.

The Vietnam Memorial is a powerful display. Not only does it show in stark reality the human cost of that war, it shows the dark void of support for the returning soldiers, sailors and airmen. Those of us who served then are pleased to see today’s members of our military receiving the recognition they deserve.

We all owe an unrepayable debt to all members of the military who have served, are serving, and will serve our nation, regardless of how we feel about any particular conflict.

Mandell S. Winter Jr., Denver

This letter was published in the Nov. 11 edition. For information on how to send a letter to the editor, click here.

Re: “A salute to veterans,” Nov. 5 news photograph.

The photo of students from Dalton Elementary School in Aurora singing, saluting and wearing T-shirts inscribed with the words “Honoring the Fallen” was very emotional and inspiring.

The cutline stated the governor of Colorado and the mayor of Aurora made an appearance. Plaques were presented to families of three veterans representing World War II, the Vietnam War and the conflicts presently in Iraq and Afghanistan.

I am quite sure that the widows and families of Korean War veterans read this article with chagrin, justifiably, that the more than 50,000 killed and 100,000 wounded warriors of the Korean War did not qualify for this honor.
Yes, it was truly the “forgotten war,” except for those who participated.

Paul M. Schultz, Aurora

This letter was published in the Nov. 11 edition. For information on how to send a letter to the editor, click here.

Guidelines: The Post welcomes letters up to 150 words on topics of general interest. Letters must include full name, home address, day and evening phone numbers, and may be edited for length, grammar and accuracy.

To reach the Denver Post editorial page by phone: 303-954-1331

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